Ichthyophis cardamomensis

Ichthyophis cardamomensis occurs in southwest Cambodia, in the Cardamom Mountains within the Pursat Province,[3] and in Preah Monivong National Park, within the Kamot Province[4] at elevations of 293 to 968 meters.[4] This isn't thought to be the species full range however, as similar habitats and elevations occur nearby such as the Battambang, Koh Kong and Kampong Speu Province.[4]

Ichthyophis cardamomensis is assosiated with hilly evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, often being found inside rotting logs and underneath soil during the day.[4] The holotype of the species was found in a damp forest on a hillside at an elevation of 986 meters, and paratypes being found in a pitfall trap alongside a rotting log within a hilly forest at an elevation of 528 meters. Based on where these specimens were found, it is thought that I. cardamomensis prefers high elevations around small bodies of water.[3] Larvae of the species have been seen swimming in shallow, swift moving streams in September and October.[4]

There is little information regarding the population of I. cardamomensis as it is only known from type-specimens, although other individuals have been observed in the Preah Monivong National Park. The species is rarely encountered during surveys, however this is thought to be because of its fossorial nature.[4]

A high rate of deforestation is a significant threat to the biodiversity within Cambodia, as areas in the Pursat Province and Kampot Province are both being converted into agricultural land. Other parts of the species range also show signs of agriculture through the use of satellite imagery. This is likely to threat the lower elevations within the species range, however it is currently unknown how the loss of forests effects caecilian all together. Forests that have been turned into agricultural land are thought to not always detrimentally affect caecilian populations, specifically in cases where the crops grown provide shade and moisture.[4]